The Dangers of Fundamentalism -- John Dominic Crossan

New Testament professor John Dominic Crossan discusses the dangers inherent in Christian fundamentalism.

Category:

Education

Tags:

• fundamentalist
• fundamentalism
• John
• Dominic
• Crossan
• progressive
• Christianity
• literalism
• Bible
• New
• Testament

[nytwings]

The voice of reason. While you're at it, look up Matthew 7:21-23, not every believer is saved.

[encii79]

@riverdaughter3 Okay, I did not mean to be rude to you. I see you come from a JW family. May we all focus more on alleviating the suffering of others.

[encii79]

@riverdaughter3 I`m sorry, but you really are not in the position to judge me or my life which you know nothing about.

Ps. Perhaps you should check out Christian charity organizations that focus on alleviating suffering in this life all over the world.

[riverdaughter3]

@encii79 Well, then, you need to get out more.

I come from a family of Christian fundamentalists and Crossan is spot on. I know exactly what he's talking about and you do too. You guys need to knock it off. I don't want you to die for my salvation. I want you to alleviate suffering in THIS world and stop worrying about what's going to happen when you die. No, no, don't try to argue with me. I've heard it all already. Life is messy. Deal with it.

[encii79]

@riverdaughter3 Ok, there is a big difference in our view of fundamentalism. I understand his point but it holds only for a small group of people. For me the ideal is to even die FOR others and their salvation. The problem is that like people from completely different cultures, you can not understand all the meanings in the other persons worldview and experience. As a Christian fundamentalist I feel like a stranger and a hidden immigrant in this world.

[lowellkylewilliamson]

Not judging someone is like a doctor not telling a patient they have cancer...of course the doctor should do it professionally and it would be foolish on behalf of the patient to be mad at the doctor. Also saying people shouldn't judge is a judgment.

[lowellkylewilliamson]

Christians are commanded to judge yet not hypocritically. The whole "don't judge" cry is an attempt to make people feel guilty for helping you realize your sin so they might go away and you can continue sinning. I would be evil if I didn't warn people about their sin.

[riverdaughter3]

@dbenjenks The essence of Crossan's critique of fundamentalism is the judgmentalism that comes with it.  The fundamentalist believes in passing judgement. The fact that you see a person who is an unbeliever as an enemy is just what he is talking about. While it may be true that god judges, you have already judged. That leads to carelessness for the wellbeing of other people.

[riverdaughter3]

@encii79 I think you misunderstand Crossan. He even predicts that you would say you wouldn't kill anyone personally. What he is saying is that fundamentalism leads to a kind of carelessness to the wellbeing of other people who are not fundamentalists. If your vision is fixed on the next life, you may be content to vote for people who are dangerous because they might speed things up. It's a callousness towards unbelievers because they are not worth saving. It's meanness.

[encii79]

I`m a fundamentalist and there is no reason for me to kill anyone or use any kind of violence, please. It is obvious in the Bible that most people will not believe and those who question God`s word are just natural human beings, they are not _more_ evil.